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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Reports in August 2024 said some creators given early access to Black Myth: Wukong received guidance from co-publisher Hero Games asking them to avoid topics including politics, Covid-19 and “feminist propaganda.” The reporting does not establish that Game Science itself sent the message, that every reviewer received it, or that it was a legally binding promise.
What did the reported creator guidance say?
The Guardian reproduced a list circulated to some creators. It asked recipients not to:
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- Insult other influencers or players.
- Use offensive language or humor.
- Include politics, violence, nudity, “feminist propaganda,” fetishization, or other content said to instigate negative discourse.
- Use trigger words such as “quarantine,” “isolation,” or “Covid-19.”
- Discuss content related to China’s game industry policies, opinions, or news.
These are the words as reproduced by The Guardian, rather than an authenticated primary copy. GameSpot independently reported the core restrictions, including politics, Covid-19 and “feminist propaganda.”
Who reportedly sent it, and to whom?
GameSpot reported that the guidance arrived in an email from Hero Games with a Steam key. Hero Games was described as a co-publisher of Black Myth: Wukong and a major shareholder of developer Game Science. That reporting supports attributing the email to Hero Games; it does not establish that Game Science sent the message directly.
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- Explore a land of vast wonders - A world unseen, where new sights rise with every stride- Enter a fascinating realm filled with the wonders and discoveries of ancient Chinese mythology! Confront mighty foes, old and new - Heroic Monkey, might and fame, adversaries rise, to test his name. One of the major highlights of Journey to the West is its diverse cast of adversaries, each with unique strengths.
- Temper your mastery of varied spells - Spells unbound, knowledge's flight, infinite abilities take their height. Spells, transformations, and magic vessels in all manifestations, complementary yet adversarial, have long been iconic combat elements of Chinese mythology.
- Discover heartfelt tales behind every façade - Uncover the stories behind a variety of characters. Beneath the ferocity of your foes is a tapestry of their origins, personalities and motivations waiting to be revealed.
- Digital Deluxe Edition Voucher Code Included - PSN voucher code provides Bronzecloud Staff, Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, Folk Opera Buskins, Wind Chimes, and selected Digital Soundtrack.
- Languages – In-game voice: Chinese and English. In-game text: English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.
The reported recipients were some influencers, streamers, or other creators given early access—not all reviewers or players. GameSpot said the same guidance did not appear to have been sent to journalists who also received review keys. VGC reported that French creator and former Gamekult editor Benoit Reinier posted a video revealing that he had received the document, then shared it online; VGC said it had not received the document, and noted that Eurogamer also reported not receiving it.
Did creators legally promise to follow the rules?
The email reportedly said that using the game key and creating content acknowledged that recipients had been informed of the guidelines. That is not enough, on the available reporting, to establish a legally binding agreement. Creator Benoit Reinier said it was not an NDA and that a streamer could ignore it. No primary agreement or legal analysis in the cited coverage settles its legal effect, so it is more precise to describe the document as reported guidance than as a confirmed contract or enforceable promise.
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- Explore a land of vast wonders - A world unseen, where new sights rise with every stride- Enter a fascinating realm filled with the wonders and discoveries of ancient Chinese mythology! Confront mighty foes, old and new - Heroic Monkey, might and fame, adversaries rise, to test his name. One of the major highlights of Journey to the West is its diverse cast of adversaries, each with unique strengths.
- Temper your mastery of varied spells - Spells unbound, knowledge's flight, infinite abilities take their height. Spells, transformations, and magic vessels in all manifestations, complementary yet adversarial, have long been iconic combat elements of Chinese mythology.
- Discover heartfelt tales behind every façade - Uncover the stories behind a variety of characters. Beneath the ferocity of your foes is a tapestry of their origins, personalities and motivations waiting to be revealed.
- Digital Deluxe Edition Voucher Code Included - PSN voucher code provides Bronzecloud Staff, Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, Folk Opera Buskins, Wind Chimes, and selected Digital Soundtrack.
- Languages – In-game voice: Chinese and English. In-game text: English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.
Why did the “feminist propaganda” wording draw attention?
The Guardian noted that the phrase was unclear and reported that public reaction connected the controversy with earlier reporting about alleged sexist and inappropriate behavior by Game Science employees. That was context for the reaction, not proof of why Hero Games issued the guidance.
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The Guardian also quoted Twitch streamer Ben Cassel, speaking to Aftermath, on how the restriction stood out from ordinary sponsorship rules: “I do many sponsored streams, and I’ve never seen anything about ‘feminist’ anything in any of them. That is new. And definitely very strange.” Cassel said restrictions on politics and current events were familiar in sponsored streams; his comment was specifically that the “feminist” wording was unusual to him.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What is established—and what is not?
- Established by contemporaneous reporting: Some early-access creators reportedly received guidance naming political and social topics, including “feminist propaganda,” Covid-19, and China’s game industry policies.
- Not established by that reporting: That Game Science directly sent the email, that every reviewer was subject to it, that creators entered an enforceable contract, or why the restrictions were chosen.
- Historical context: This was a launch-period controversy in August 2024, not a newly issued rule. The Guardian reported that Game Science said the game sold more than 10 million copies worldwide within three days; it also reported a peak of more than 3 million concurrent players across platforms during the first week. Both figures describe the launch period, not current sales or player counts.
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